07/01/1991 Park Board Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Section 2 - Assessment of Lino Lakes Parks and Recreation Needs Statewide Perspective on Trends in Outdoor Recreation Patterns and Participation Rates To fully understand and assess the parks and recreational needs of the community, it is important to review actual and projected trends in recreational patterns and participation rates from a broader, statewide perspective. This will allow for a clearer picture to emerge about recreational trends and provide insight as to the general attitudes toward environmental issues. Much of the forth -coming information was compiled by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Travel & Economic Development and published as part of the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation (SCORP) Plan for 1990-1994. According to the SCORP Plan, it is anticipated that the huge growth in the past decade in outdoor recreation appears to be slowing. This is, from one perspective, perhaps a blessing since the current demand already exceeds the capacity of the existing recreational facilities. Additionally, free time has increased, albeit slightly, in recent years (free time is defined as the time not occupied with work, sleep, and personal care). This increase in free time will most likely increase the time that individuals spend in recreational pursuits, thus increasing the demand on current facilities. During 1985 and 1986 a random state-wide survey was undertaken in an attempt to determine the level of participation of Minnesota residents in a variety of outdoor activities. As Figure 1 illustrates, walking/hiking, biking, fishing, and driving had the highest participation rates. Its interesting to note that Minnesotans recreate outdoors an average of 225 hours per capita per year. Fishing -12 Driving - Swimming - Boating - S%X Hunting - Nature Observation - 491 Sightseeing Biking -12% WalkinWIRking -18% Other - 22 % (12 activities) % Camping.3% Golfing - 3% Figure L Minnesotans' Outdoor Recreation Hours per Capita Activity, 1985. City of Lino Lakes As Figure 2 illustrates, age plays a significant role in the total number of hours per capita that Minnesota residents participate in outdoor recreational activities. Hours/ Capita 7-14 13.74 ' 7.3.34 ' 3544 43.34 33-N 63+ All Age Class Figure 2. Total Outdoor Recreation Hours per Capita of Minnesota by Age Class, 1985. Although the 7-14 age group leads in the amount of time dedicated to outdoor recreational activities, it is important to note that even though the younger age group spend more time per capita recreating, the shear numbers of people associated with the "aging" population will undoubtedly greatly affect the demand for recreational facilities geared toward an older population. As such, participation rates, which are key factors in determining facility needs, are expected to change over the next decade to coincide with the change in user demographics, creating higher demand for adult recreational facilities. As Figure 3 illustrates, the activities showing the largest percentage increases in hours between 1985 / and 2000 are those which coincide with�he activities 'L